DYER – Parishioners and those involved in music ministry from around the diocese and beyond arrived at St. Maria Goretti church on Sept. 7 to listen to Grammy-nominated songwriter/composer and recording artist Sarah Hart.
Hart, originally from Lancaster, Ohio, holds a degree in music from The Ohio State University. Now based in Nashville, Tenn., she spends much of her time on the road balancing a recording, concert and event schedule.
Karin Jurek, parish director of music, explained that worship at St. Maria Goretti has developed a strong contemporary music focus over the years. She said it has a history of using Hart’s music along with other contemporary Catholic songwriters.
“Sarah Hart is one of the leading voices in contemporary Catholic music, a prolific songwriter, speaker and musician, and her music speaks to us here at St. Maria Goretti with its spiritual and soulful focus,” she said.
When Father Leonardo Gajardo became pastor of St. Maria Goretti in 2023, he suggested having Hart come to Dyer to do a concert/mission for the community as an enrichment to parish life. After a yearlong planning process, the church was excited to welcome her.
“Music lets us connect to our innermost feelings, experience a closer connection to others and helps us pray,” said Jurek.” It is an important part of music ministry to be able to convey this human connection to others in our work and through our liturgies.”
Jurek noted she has seen Hart perform at several events for liturgical musicians, such as the Religious Education Congress in Anaheim, Calif. and multiple conventions, including the National Association of Pastoral Musicians, and follows her via the OCP Publications website and YouTube channel.
Vicki Engelberg and Tricia Keusenoski of St. Bernard in Homer Glen, Ill. made the trip to Indiana after their music director informed them of Hart's scheduled appearance. Before the concert, they reminisced about the list of her songs they have sung as part of their parish choir, including “The Body of Christ” and “Alleluia.”
Commenting on what she enjoys most about Hart’s music, Engelberg said, “her lyrics and the message behind them, along with the melody.”
Jim Markiewicz, St. Maria Goretti parishioner and local musician involved with the parish music ministry, was also previously familiar with Hart. He was looking forward to being exposed to more of her music.
“I am interested to hear what goes into her composing, and I’ve never been to a parish mission so that got me interested enough to come,” he said.
As Hart performed, she did take time to explain the circumstances surrounding some of her lyrics.
In October 2013, Hart was invited to perform at the Vatican and invited to meet Pope Francis. She shared how she was so overcome with emotion that she was moved to open her arms wide and spontaneously began hugging the pontiff.
“I'm hugging him, and I'm sobbing at this point,” she said, reflecting on her meeting with the pope. “One of my most beautiful memories about this is that he was laughing and I could feel him laughing.”
At this moment she realized she didn't have to worry about writing hit songs, but simply focus on sharing the love of the Lord through her music.
Hart’s words and songs during the Sunday performance delivered a message of joy and the importance of being fully present during worship, as well as a reminder to be kind to others.
“In this church, we come to revere, but we're not sad about our reverence, we're joyful about our reverence,” she said. “God wants us to come in here being people of joy because we live in the promise of the Resurrection, not the promise of Good Friday, right?”
Jurek said she hopes the experience was spiritually rewarding and uplifting for all attendees, “creating a lasting positive church experience, and bringing them closer to their own faith.”
“May they realize what a big part music and musical prayer plays in their own spirituality and their experience of church,” she said.
Jurek added the parish is always happy to welcome new instrumentalists and choir members into the music program and hopes the event may have sparked interest in more to become involved.
An upcoming event will bring a different style of music to the hall at St. Maria Goretti on Monday, Oct. 14 as Jim Markiewicz & Smooth Groove perform during a benefit concert for the parish’s food pantry. To make a reservation for the event featuring blues, Motown, rock and jazz, call 865-5483.
Caption: Liturgical composer Sarah Hart leads a parish mission and concert on Sept. 8 at St. Maria Goretti in Dyer. Hart greeted parishioners during a breakfast meet and greet and held a special retreat for musicians leading up to the event. (Erin Ciszczon photo)